A childbirth class is great for preparing you for pregnancy, labor, and birth. Some communities organize childbirth classes for women and their support person. The duration of these classes can vary from a one-day workshop to regular weekly sessions. A typical class is led by a childbirth instructor and involves discussions and exercise.
While approaches in the classes vary, the aim is to empower women with information to prepare for childbirth and help them make informed decisions. You also learn ways to minimize their fears and cope with labor.
You can consider an independent instructor to take you through a childbirth class. You can also ask your healthcare provider about these classes. Most moms start class between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy and continue through the postpartum period.
Childbirth classes cover the most common childbirth complications and how they can be handled. They can also teach the basics of newborn care and breastfeeding. Additionally, they provide a great opportunity to meet other expectant women.
When looking for a childbirth class, ensure it covers the following:
- Labor signs
- Normal progress of labor and birth
- Techniques for coping with labor pain
- How your support person can help you during labor
- When to call your doctor or midwife
Types of childbirth classes
Lamaze
Lamaze is one of the most widely used childbirth techniques which focuses on promoting healthy pregnancy, birth, and early parenting via education. It involves breathing techniques, movement, hydrotherapy, and massage as methods for reducing pain. While it primarily encourages moms to try natural birth, it can address various paid medication options.
Hypno-Birthing
Hypno-birthing advocates the use of relaxation and self-hypnosis for a comfortable birth. While it focuses on natural pregnancy and birth, these techniques can be expectant women who might need medical interventions during delivery.
Bradley Method
The core idea of the Bradley Method is that childbirth is a natural process and with proper preparation, many women can avoid medical interventions during delivery. It teaches the importance of diet and exercise for pregnant women and deep breathing techniques for pain management. This class also involves a partner as a participant in the delivery process.
ICEA
International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) is an organization that provides education programs and certification to some childbirth instructors. The class doesn’t emphasize on a particular approach to childbirth. The class content provides general information about the labor and delivery process. It also discusses natural childbirth and pain management methods during labor.
The most common child-birth classes offered in Kenya are Lamaze classes.
Why take a childbirth class
When you’re delivering your child, childbirth classes can help you:
- Get information from experts about labor and delivery. You’ll discover how to identify labor signs and what happens to your body during delivery
- Minimize your fears. During the classes, the instructor dispels myths about childbirth and you get an opportunity to talk with women who share the same concerns.
- Discuss pain management options. In the class, you practice methods for relieving pain such as deep breathing techniques and relaxation for coping during labor.
- Educate your partner. The childbirth classes can offer your partner an opportunity to get a better understanding of childbirth and how to support you during labor.
- Learn newborn care. The childbirth classes may cover various common topics on newborn care such as breastfeeding, choosing a pediatrician, bathing, etc.
